Tag: perfect infants passport photos

How to renew your passport by mail

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

If you are thinking of traveling out of the country, you may want to confirm the validity of your passport. If your passport has less than six months to the expiry date, it is best to renew it before you travel – many countries have this as an entry requirement. If you have time on your hand, you can apply for your passport renewal, before you travel, by mail.

How to renew your passport by mail

When renewing your US passport, the first step is to obtain the DS-82 form. Once you’ve filled this in, you have to attach your Social Security Number. For frequent travelers, you have the option of requesting for a larger 52-page passport booklet at no extra cost.

As you go about filling the forms, you ought to enter the same details as captured on your current passport. If any of the details such as names have changed, it is mandatory to provide a certified copy of the document indicating the name change. For a newly married person, a marriage certificate is applicable. A divorce decree can also be used as proof of name change.

After you’re done filing the forms, you must submit your current passport. You should not have any worries about the old passport book, since the department will mail it back after providing you with a new one.

Before you submit the application, it is important to attach a copy of a current passport photo. The best way of going about it is to staple the photo vertically on all edges. You must not, under any circumstances, bend or fold the passport pictures.

Just before you send the renewal application, you should visit the Department of State website to confirm the passport fees. You can then make a check or money order addressed to the “U.S. Department of State.”

Having completed the application and confirmed that everything is in order, you can then mail it to the National Passport Processing Center, located in Philadelphia.

Photo: Mailbox by jparise licensed under Creative commons 2

A parent’s guide to baby passport photos

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

It will come as no surprise to parents that babies are some of the most difficult subjects for photographers to capture on camera. And when it comes to getting a great baby passport photo, getting a good shot on the first try is paramount. While some kids may have an easy time staying still for the photo, some parents will need a few good ideas to get the perfect passport photo. Here are a few you can try:

Timing

Make sure to schedule your appointment during a time of day when your little one won’t be overly tired or overly energized. For some, this might mean an hour or half an hour before their regular naptime, while for others it will be right after waking up. The important thing is that they aren’t too cranky to stay calm, but aren’t too excited to make sitting still an impossibility.

Environment

Keeping your child calm during the photo is important, since passport photos need to reflect a neutral calm expression. For infants, laying them down on their back looking up is a great way to make sure they are relaxed, while sitting toddlers upright is a good way to go. Take the photos at home or in a place you know they are feeling comfortable. For young infants, a white noise machine or gentle music can be used to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

Avoid the flash

Most photographers will tell you that natural light is the way to go. It’s not just because the flash tends to flatten-out photos, but because they are a quick way to send a baby into a sour mood. Taking your photos by a window or even in your backyard can be good options.

A two-person job

If you are having trouble getting that perfect passport photo with your child, try enlisting the help of your spouse, a friend, or family member. While one of you stands behind the camera with your finger on the button, the other should be near the child to make sure they are looking in the right direction, as well as feeling comfortable. After a few tries you should be able to get the pose you are going for.